Portsmouth’s BAR Technologies unveil first cut of WindWings

Published by

Sam Pither

Construction of the first WindWings – big sails which can be retrofitted to ships like carriers and tankers – is progressing well, with the first installation expected in the first half of 2023.

The development is a joint project between Portsmouth’s BAR Technologies and Norway-based Yara Marine Technologies, with the companies sharing an image of the ‘first cut’ of the steelwork which will become the first production run of the innovative product.

The main spar of the WindWings. Credit: BAR Technologies.

Two WindWings are planned to be fitted on ‘Pyxis Ocean’, which is owned by MC Shipping, with another four expected to be installed on Berge Bulk’s ‘Berge Olympus’. Chargill, a global commodities business with charters the Pyxis Ocean will be the first operator to put the WindWIngs into use.

Ahead of the new Carbon Intensity Indicator rules which come into effect in the shipping industry on 1 January 2023, technologies which can be retrofitted onto existing vessels are seeing increased interest.

WindWings can save up to around 1.5 million tonnes of fuel per WindWing per day on average global routes, working out to around 4.7 tonnes of C02 per WindWing based on the use of heavy fuel oil for main propulsion.

Production is currently centred on the main spar elements which give the WindWings their height, alongside the associated booms, towers, and slew bearings.

Concurrently, manufacturing is also progressing with the tilt mechanism which enables vessel charterers to stow the WindWings during dockside operations, when passing under structures, or in certain sea conditions.

The composite parts of the wings are also well advanced with the assembly and testing to follow.

“The failure of COP27 to reach consensus on phasing down fossil fuels has reminded us of the imperative to keep innovating at an industry level in order to reach our goals for decarbonising global bulk shipping,” said John Cooper, CEO at BAR Technologies.

“However, with the CII regulations set to come into force in January 2023, vessel owners are not in a position to just do nothing – they must have a plan for emissions and manage this planning within set deadlines.”

“The positive news is that with technologies like WindWings, alongside much of the work being done into future powertrains, vessel owners have options on the table to be able to adapt quickly, reducing the risk of stranded assets.”

Thomas Koniordos, CEO at Yara Marine Technologies, said: “Berge Bulk’s decision to equip its Newcastlemax bulker Berge Olympus with four WindWings shows that wind-assisted propulsion is one of the key technologies in their transition strategy towards Net Zero.

"We are very proud to support our customer in reducing the emissions from Berge Olympus by 19 tonnes of CO2 per day on an average route. This is a major result for decarbonisation of this bulk carrier

“The interest in WindWings from the industry is thrilling and we are happy with the progress we achieved in the value chain to ensure the ready availability of this technology to meet the needs of the shipping industry worldwide.”

Yara Marine is the commercial contractual partner and manages the value chain from procurement, construction, installation, service, and training for the WindWings in global locations.

Featured image credit: BAR Technologies

Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset. A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise. Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.